Cotton-harvesting machine.



E. LIGHTFOOT- comm nmzvssnue mcmus. APPLICATION LED APR-H1914- 1,210,958.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

1 SHEETS-SHEEF I E. LIGHTFOOT.

COTTON HARVESTING MACHINE. APPLICAHOII min APR. I. lsl i.

gamma Jan. 2,1917v 1 wins-swan 2.

. 32 52 as as E. LIGHTFOOT.

COTTON HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATlON man APR. 1. mm.

Patented Juli. 2,1917

ISHEETS-SHEET 3.

E- UGHTFOOT. COTTON HARVESTING MACHINE- 1,21 APPLICATION FILED APILJ. 19H. Patented Jan. 2 I SHEETS-SHEET 4- E. LiGHTFOUT.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

I SHEETS-SHEET 5.

. J0 j 7/1 1 A fiu i 115- 40 L A I??? 5:"? 5 143 m ;J// E112 F V 4+ 7 I i r 42. I I Jim. l 1,5152 2 0 ff I? t" we 2 5 776 yk/mdeyz E. LIGHTFOOT.

COTTQN HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1. 19M.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

I SHEETSSHEEY 7.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EX'I'A LIGHTFOOT, 0F FORT WORTH, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO LIGH'IFOOT COTTON HARVESTEB COMPANY,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A

CORIORATION OF ILLINOIS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Exam Llolrrroo'r, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Fort Worth, in the county of Tarrant and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Harvesting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to cotton harvesting machines, and has more particular reference to cotton harvesters in which the fpicking spindles are carried into and out 0 cotton picking position through the rotation of a spindle carrying device upon which the spindles are mounted.

The principal objects of my present invention are to provide a cotton harvesting machine susceptible of being drawn or selfpropellcd in picking relation to a row of cotton plants, and to pick therefrom a high percentage, if not substantially all of the cotton thereon suitable for harvesting at such time; to provide a machine which may be operated and controlled by a single operator thereon, to provide a cotton harvester not only of high etiiciency, but one of simple and durable construction, which is of light weight. not liable readily to get out of order, and one having provisions for adjustn'ient and substitution of parts whereby it may be handled opcrativelv b a person of ordinar ability and skill.

A very important object. is to provide a harvester which will not olijectionably injure the cotton plants during the harvesting operation. and one which will operate selectivelv upon onl v ripe cotton, or such generally as is then suitable to be picked.

Other objects and hereinafter.

It is not new to provide a harvesting ma chine to gather cotton from the row, nor is it new to provide a cotton picking machine in which rotatable spindles are carried about an axis of revolution during the operation of the machine. or in which the direction of rotation of picking spindles is reversed. Means have also been suggested for cleaning the spindles and for conveying the cotton from one part of the machine to another.

The present invention is to be distinguished from such hitherto suggested devices in various respects, as in the provision of means for varying or maintaining the diion of the longitudinal axis of the spin- Speciflcation of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 1,

advantages will appehr Patented Jan. 2, 1917. 1914. Serial No. 328,775.

dles for various operations; in the manner of causing the spindles to rotate in direct or reverse direction; in the means for cleaning the spindles, in the arrangement and operative location of various operative parts; driving means for the various organizations of operative elements; in the spindle itself, and in various other features of construction, arrangement, organization and results, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, and particular v pointed out and set forth in the appeir claims.

In the accompanying seven sheets of drawings, which form a part of this specification I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my present invention, and have shown such various details of the construction and arrangement of parts as will, particularly in connection with the written specification, anabl anyone skilled in the art to make and use the invention and improvements herein set forth.

In these drawings, Figure 1 is a side eleva tion of the machine, partly in section, 'p'a'itly broken away, and with certain structures, such as the nearmost elevator system, casings, etc., entirely removed, and with certain elements shown in dotted lines, all the more clearly to illustrate operative association top plan of the machine, the steering wheels being broken away, showing frame construction, steering gear and spindle-mechanismdriving apparatus, engine, housings, etc.; Fi 3 is a rear end view of the machine showing frame construction, engine, driving wheels and the internleshing relationship and arrangement of spindles; Fig. 4 is a sectional top view of one of the picking mechanisms, brushing, elements, conveyors,

-1-l oFEigi.

etc., substantially on the line 5. a fragment of the other picking mechanism being also shown, illustrating the operative relation of the spindles as seen from above; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one of the picking mechanisn'is, brushing elements, drivlng gears and spindle controllingmechanism; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top view of one of the rotatable picking n'lechanisms ('fll' r ving thc'spindles and associated parts; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the picking mechanisms and associated parts showing its manner of mounting, spindle drivin and reversing mechanism, cam element or controlling and arrangement of details; Fig. 2 is a.

the axial movement of the spindles, etc, part of the figure being sectionally shown, the sectional view of the upper fragment being substantially on the broken line 7? of Fig. H. the section of the lower portion being medial and vertical of the parts; Fig. 8 is a :l'ragim-ntary side eleation of driving gears and support for some of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7, Fig. 8 being an extension of l ig. 7 but given a one-quarter turn tl'iere'l'rom the better to illustrate the parts; Fig. 9 is an enlargwl detail of a spindle holder, spindle driving means, spindle reversing clut h i'nechanisni and holder oscillatin g means. the spiral shaft being conventiomillv shown: Fig. 10 is a similarly enlarged i'ragrmcntarv side elevation of some of the parts of Fig. 9, showing the spiral spindle driving shaft in the rear half of the spindle holder. and .)HS() ciated details. a part of the figure bring in section: Fig. 11 is an enlarged Pros. see tional view on the. line ll---ll of Fig. 9, showing a pair of oppositely grooved spiral spindles and the spiral gears on which they are mounted inter-meshing with the spiral spindle-driving shaft; Fig. 12 is a sectional view of one of the spindle driving gears and bearings, as on the line 1212 of Fig. 11.; Fig. 13 is a top view of the cam controlling the axial directions of the spindles. and showing also means for relieving the spindles from the effect of lateral strains; Fig. 14 is a transverse vertical section of the cam element on the line 1l1l of Fig. 13; Fig. 1.5 is an enlarged side view of the preferred form of cotton picking spindle, only a. portion of the picking structure thereon being shown; Fig. 16 is a transverse section of the same on the line 16-1fi of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a similar view to that of Fig. 13 of a modified form of spindle; Fig. 18 is a cross sectional view of the spindle of Fig. 17 substantially on the line IS -18 of Fig. 17; Fig. 19 is a similar side view of another modified forin of spindle; Fig. 20 is a sectional view of the spindlehf Fig. 19 substantially on the line 2020\of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 is a small diagrammatic side view of a tapering spindle conventionally showing" spiral threads thereon; Fig. 22 (Sheet 4) is a cross seotion'of one of the brushes proper and its holder or frame substantially on the line 2222 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 23 (Sheet 4) is a. fragmentary view in perspective showing the arrangement of tracks controlling the rotation of the picking spindles.

The fra'me. The frame of the machine. in the referred form illustrated, comprises two si e frame structures A and B rigidly connected together at the upper portions thereof and in open spaced apart relation in the lower portions thereof. Each of these side frames is adapted to carry'one of a pair of picking mechanisms and associated parts, such as a spindle cleaning device, eonveycr, etc. Ear-h ol the side l'rames A and ii comprises preferably a pair of |ongitudinal top frame pieces 30 and 31, connected rigidly together at their front ends by connecting pieces 32 and 33. the frame pieces 30 extending substantially the length of the ma hine and the frame member 31 extendin'g substantially half way such length from the front, as shown in Fig. 2. The top pieces 30 and 31 as well as the complete side fraines A and B are rigidly connected together by cross bars 3-1 and 35. llarh ol' the side frames is u'ovided with a connecting har 3f; rigi'id with the frame parts 30 and 31 and with the cross bar 34. and rigid with each bar iill and the cross bar 5&5 is :1 ion gitudinallv disposed bar 37.

Cat-h of the side frames and It has a lower substantially rectangular l'ranie ele ment comprising an outer side bar 40. an inner loi'igitudinal bar 41.. a front transverse connecting plltt 12. an iiurrn'lediate transverse connecting .)iece 42 (Fig. 4) and a rear transverse connecting piece 43, these several parts being rigidly connected together. Each side. fran'le A and B is provided with substantiall vertical connecting rods 44. 4-5 and 41" rigidly connected with the side frame parts 30 and 4t), and between the vertical frame parts 45 and 4-6 bracing! and supportingrods 47 and 49 are provided (Fig. 1 At the rear end of the machine. substantially vertical frame parts 50 and 51 are provided rigidly connected with the frame parts in), 4O, 47 and 49. and these frame parts at] and 51 are rigidly connected together at the top and somewhat medially of the machine by cross bars 52 and 53 and at the bottom by the short connecting bars 43 (Fig. 3). A substantially vertically disposed rod 54 (Figs. 2 and 4) is rigid with each bottom longitudinal rod 41 (the connection being indicated in Fig. 4) and a longitudinal rod the rod 55 being rigidly connected with the frame element 52 (Fig.- '2). In the front of the machine and in each side frame a vertically disposed connecting piece 57 (Fig. 2) is provided rigid with the frame part 31 at the top and with the frame. part 41 at the bottom, (the connection at the. bottom not being shown) the frame part 41 at this point bein inclined outwardly, as is well shown in *ig. 2, the front end thereof thus providinggreater clearance for the cotton plants and constituting a suitable support for steering and steering wheel apparatus hereinafter described. Rigidlv connecting the vertical side elements 45 (Fig. 1) and the interior vertical elements 54 (Fig. 2) is a bar 59 (Fig. 1) only the end of the barbeing shown.

All of the n'incipal frame parts mentioned are pre erahly made of channel iron and angle iron, which maybe of comparatively-small dimensions, say of 1.1" base. but other forms of metallic rods or wood may be employed. the Construction of the frame being surh as to provide great strength and rigidity combined with lightness therein.

In my preferred construction I employ the frame of the driving engine it) further to strengthen the frame of the harvesting machine. the engine frame being mounted on a plurality of supports eomprising transverse rods (50 connected with the vertiral frame elements 50 and 51 (Fig. 3) and a. longitudinal rod 131, (Fig. 1) similarly on eaeh side frame. rigidly eonnerted with the rod 50 (Fig. 3) and with the (Toss rod Til (Fig. 1). The driving engine frame. itself bein a strong and rigid structure. and thus rigidly ronneeted, as by bolts, with frame elements in the side frames respectively, adds greatly to the rigidity of the maehine. The several frame parts may be eonnerted together by bolts or rivets or aroording to any other well known manner of forming rigid ronnertions between such, parts.

lm a'l/hn mmdunno/m d source of power 70, preferably an internal eombus tion engine. and whirh I have illustrated as of the opposed linder type, is rigidly mounted. as hereinabove specified, preferably in the rear and upper portion of the frame. and provides driving means for moving the maehine forward or r airward upon the ground, and also for driving the cotton piehing meehanisms and their assoriated parts. .A longitudinally arranged driving shaft Tl. journaled in a hearing T2 (Fig. I) mounted in the frame rarries the transmission element or (-lutrl: 7:3. This transmission devire 73 may be f any approved type. and. is adapted as a ('lutrh to rotate the pinion T4- and uhirh pinion is rigid with one element of [he transmission or c-lntrh (through whieh the engine shaft 71 rotates) as the shaft it rotates. and to breah the operative or driving ronnertion between the shaft T1 and pinion T4. As a seloetive speed and reversing transmission. (the element T 3 illustrated being of the planetary type] the di rertion of rotation of the pinion Tl may be reversed or its speed of rotation altered. Sui-ll planetary type of transmission i well known and requires no detailed deseription. nor have l illustrated suita le ltYrtH for operating the same to pro\ ide slu'h reverse di rertion or change of speed. sin-h parts being similarly well lmown.

'l lupinion Tl on the transmis ion duh-e T3 is arranged to inter-mesh with the gear T3 rigid on the longitiulinally disposed shaft in. which is suitably mounted in bearings if and TH on suitable rross bars seem-ed to the two rods l. ()n the front end of the shaft in is rigidly seeured a bevel gear T ar ranged to lllitllll( ll with a similar gear i (rarrying differential mechanism in the part thereof marked on the transverse shaft 81 suitably pivoted in bearings 82 secured upon the upright frame elements 5+ (Fig. 2) respectively. On each end of the shaft 81 is a hpl'tlt'hlf wheel 83 on which travels the endless chain Si. whirh is also arranged to travel upon the large sproelv'et wheel 85 rigid upon the driving wheel 86. Each driving wheel $6 on its axle ST is adjustably mounted at its outer and inner ends respeetively through the projertion of the axle into supporting engagement with the sides of an areuate slot R8 in a wheel supporting frame element Hf) rigidly r nneeted with the rods ill) and U1 whieh a re in turn rigid upon the frame of the marhine as upon the bars 40 and if. The are of the slot Sh has its center at the shaft 8!. by which arrangement the rear end of the maehine may he raised or lowered with respect to the ground without altering the tension of the chain til. Means .12 are provided for moving the wheel shaft and its projection in the arruate slot 5b. the details of whieh are not shown or desrribed as snrh means in assoeiation with wheels is well known. al though I am not aware that the areuate ar rangement of the slot HR is not new. 's

tem of lovers Sl3--93 operatively eonneeted with the elutrh or trausnnsslon device 73 and terminating in a rontrolling lever i is shown eonventionally and in dotted lilies for rlearness of illustration. From the foregoing it will be apparent that when the handle EH is operated the elutrh 73 will e thrown into or out of ronnertion with the shaft 71 whereby rotative motion will be rommunieated to the driving wheel St? or such motion terminated.

Pol-"mtroimnifssi'on for woo/i lirt-in nave/mar na.----l'pon [he engine haft Tl is mounted a ('luteli U3 from whi Xtends a system of levers Jib-A li terminating in mntrolling le\er UT where y the (lutrh may he made to rotate the r Hll'i shaft UH rigid with one element of the elutrh. the shaft Us being ionrnaled at 1|!) and raruving on its front end the bevel gear lllll adapted to intermesh with a somewhat larger be\el gear lt l rigid on the transverse shaft lit in bearings It on the side frames id. The shaft ti l the drip ing shaft for the rolton pit-hing inerhzrnisnis and arsorlalml parts on ear-h side of the nlarhine. and a lltHl'lPflUll of the open ative elements on one side will sullire for both.

liy referenre t Fig. 2 it will be noted that the shaft 1 2 rarries a bevel gear llll arranged to interim-sh with a similar gear 1 5. From Fig. :7 it will more rlearlv appear that the gear 1177 is (llI'tIl up n the hexagonal shaft ll? mounted to rotate in suita le earings WT and WT. only the upper end of earh of said bearings being shown. tin had eing uitably rounded at the hearing portinns. The shaft 106 earries :i rigidly mounted Qenr heei 10S intermeshingKvith a gear hi5 oi. the :sznne size on :1 rotntnlile shaft ill! in hearings Ill and lit snitnhly mounted upon. the frame of the machine. The gemti t is rigid with and may he integral with the mnzilier gear 113 adapted to intermesl: nith :a larger gem il-l Inonniesl n the rotntfllhle shaft 11.: in heurings 11'. and 11:3" Silltl Muft 115 also (:UTY- ing :1 smaller pear th'; This gear intermeshes with the hinge un- HT whirh is riw l(il eonnwteil with :i chnm or easing lli which easing" Umtnlns Hllll t'illl'lBE-l vermin o i erntire. inef'hnnirmw tor lUtlltllig the spin illei; :inil ehzinging their :lii'ertinn ot' rotution, el'e :1 hereinxtli-r more inily ileseriheil. It will thus he ween that when the (hitch 9?: is opernteil so :15 to rotate the hevel gear 100. axial with the engine shaft. the casing 11% and its eonneeu-il part5 will he rotnteil nlnnit the 4 wi l it upon \vhieh this easing is loom-i) inonnterl. The driving: gear 117 on one menhnnisin intermenhes with the gear 117 on the other (Fig. :2) insuring: proper nn] positive eo iperutii'e relative nmvenient ot' the tno rotten picking llltlll2lniszns when the nmehine is in list. The train of genre :nni connections just :leseriherl is the Hflllti on mth sides of the machine the housing oi the eotton picking mechanism on the Hi le frame 1% ln'in relnorell to show some of the parts.

. wniwur l he ras- T/u: spin/Ur (:lri'rfug m1: h1g5 13S ire provided {as part of the same} with :1 rover 190 tfivi? Fig Tl having :1 ale pending flange znhigit il to fit over the upper eilg'es of the easing 11.8 :inil to he sevnreil thereon an h nnn'hine lmlts til. ,l'hiseorer 120 is prefemhly :1 melting as the rest of the easing. :lTltl is provide-(l nith a rentrnlly PUFitlUIltll eta-in or projevtion 1:22 which is hollow :unl vonetitntes :l hearing for :i hollow shaft 1235. the upper enil of the shaft 12?: having rigiiilfi sernrhl thereto :1 hen-l pinion llll. ll'ithin the hollow filii'ii f, 12-) is r tntnhly positioned the himi't 'llfl. the hollo\\' shaft I2 ron -tilntin :i heal-in; For ihe Shaft l'lfi. l iion the upper enil of the shaft 119 is rigidly ernreil the li'erel {ltill 1:! 1. IIttGi'UiPFIlllHfl with hoth genn i126 d ti l 3 n hevel gear 1.? rip'hl ogmn the em? f the shaft \Yllll'll shaft 12*: loss its front eml piroteii in :1 Rnpport 1 2) rigiil uni-n the Frame element 531. whii'h support also eonstituten :1 hearing for the shaft 11.!v It will he ohviom that when the bevel gem 19.? is rotated the internueshing {It'HTS 124 and 121; will Sllillllttllil llni lie rotnieil in opposite (lireetions. The gear liT is rotated through the IHtlllHHI of pinion 12 -0 (Fig. 2 internn-.-him1 with the inioh li i rigidly minimiell on the nd upon g: eni'i preferably by threading the shaft iiireet i 'I'hese gear and 137 are the driving gearnfor rotating in clockwise and unticloekwi e itire 'tiolr the spindle ihix'ing Sltuftn till. Within the easing 11S and upon eneh of Eire shafts MU is rigidly secured, as. hr :1 r-rnsst pin, :i clutch-like element Lil whieh is formed nrefnrziiiily of :i misting inning it hore snitnhle. for fitting the same upon the shaft and n rirenhzr outstanding rent ziliv arranged flange, the inpering trnneut-wiLeone portion of the elnteh element 1i :ihonn in the drawings being preferiihly of leather. wood or similar softer material. The eonstrnetion is well iitnstrated in the neeiionnl view of Fig. T.

'ithin the (using IE8 and loosely :nhnnt eil on each of the shafts lit? me, ieeiiionmt two gears 1435 and 1M respeetirely intermeething with the gears 133 and l5 and eneh thereof being prnvii'leil integral iherewith or rigidly secnreel thereto :1 i-n riilnu t'rietion element 14.3 and 1-5-6 respertirely. these, enp shaped elements heing ilir (i to ward the friction element 14 and piiiviiifiilfitl with respeet thereto so ihnt. when the shaft 140 is slightly rniseil, the flirt-ion eienient Ht will come into engugen'ient with chewinshaped element 14:). thereby rotating the shaft H0 in mie iiirel-tion zinel when the shaft H9 is lowered slightly, Siillilitl winn r is made with the rliieshzipeel t'riiti' nn-nt H6 and the shaft is rotnteil ii: posite tlllitlnii. is provided with the same devices for rotating the sl-nne and as all of the gears H? and Hi sure :it all times in mesh with the CitlV- ing: gears l fi and 1 37 it: is apparent tnzli nneh oi the shafts HO will sinmltnnit nsiy he ltlttlltll in one (lireetion or the other as have their friction elements 141 respeeiirei v in eontnet with one or the other of the elements Hf: ninl {iii The arrangement is slnh that resistnnee UllPl'Qtl to the rotation of the ehni'i line as work heing done by or upon the .lllllltllfl will inree the Trietion element H1 more tightly into engagement with either enplnzgied elen'lent 145 or HI: tlnnnp'h the threading :ietirm of the spirals: on the shaft 1 H such threading :ietion ternling to (tlHRt the shaft to more longitudinally. the spiral gears i200 acting as reintirelv fixed female members for the male threinlell element 1-10v The device thns 1H1- tmnrit'ienlly tnliee wire of sudden 0r midi tiolml strainn. These Fhfifts 140 may he.- lll2tii|iI\lIl('(l in :1 rotatire or non-rotntive ate :at any pnrtieular time or period in WJUISP of travel by a snituhle arrnnge in. of the spindle raising and lowering manna hereinafter described, thus saving Hi t l power, as, for instance should it be desirable to have the spindles non-rotative during the cleaning operation, according to the specific type or; kind of picking spindle employed. In the present specification 1 have illustrated and described the device so eonstrncted that the picking spindles are rotated in one direction during the picking operation and in the other direction'during the cleaning operation. with a period of rest when the directions are changed from one to the other.

Each of the shafts 110 is provided at its upper cud with a reduced portion 150 providing an annular groove and upon the end of the shaft is secured the connection or coupling clement 1.31 having an interior annular projection 152 extending into the groove 150, the shaft 1-H) being mounted to rotate freely in the element 151. The lever arm 153 has its one end pivoted in the connection element 151 by a. pin 10? its other end being rigid upon the shaft 15% mounted to rock in upwardly projecting annular flanges 155 and 156 upon the cover 120 of the casing 118. ()n the outer end of the shaft 154 is rigidly secured the lever 157 having thereon the friction roller 158. In Fig. 5 means are illustrated for 'ertically moving the friction rollers 157, and consequently raising and lowering the shafts 140 respectively whereby the friction element 141 is brought into driving Contact with the cone-like clutch elements 11-5 or 146 or maintained in spaced relation to each thereof. These means comprise two tracks 160 and 161 (see Fig. each substantially a hall circle in length and formed conveniently of angle iron, the horizontal leg constituting the track or surface on which the rollers 158 travel. The track 160 is adapted to elevate the friction rollers 158 as they come successively into contact with the inclined ini tial portion 162 of the track 160, the rollers riding upward and consequently depressing the friction element 141, the track 160 maintaining the element 141 so depressed as lon as it is desired to rotate the shaft 140 in the cotton picking operation. The track 161 has its track surface 161 (shown by a dotted line, 1* ig. 5) on a lower plane than that of the track 166 and the friction rollers 158 are adapted to travel on the underside of the track 161 (see dotted lines Fig. 5) instead of on the top side as in the case of the track 166. the arrangement being such that as the rollers pass from the track 160 by way of a declining guide 161 (Fig. 21-1) to the track 161 they are forced downward, thereby raising the friction. element 11-1 into engagement with the cone-like element H5 and causing the spindles to rotate in the opposite direction, which is during the spindle-cleaning operation. The track 160 is held in its desired position by supports 165 and 166 having adjusting nuts 167 and 168 thereon and helical springs 169 and 170 respectively whereby the desiral amount of frictional contact between the friction ele ments 111 and 146 may be maintained by suitable spring pressure. -A supportin ele ment 1T1 rigid with the track 160 is a( justably secured to the frame of the machine. A similar spring device is provided for the track 160. comprising the supporting memher 172, the adjusting nut 1.73 and the spring 171, and the track is otherwise suitably sustained, by braces or rods, as 171'.

Spindle mmmtiny (mt! oacz't'lating mechanism.ln the preferred construction a plu rality of spindles S are rotatably mounted in a spindle mounting or support 175 and pro jecting therefrom substantially horizontally, the spindles being preferably arranged in horizontal pairs as is well illustrated in the drawings. A plurality of such spindle holders 175 are mounted, preferably on a substantially circular line, upon a carrier plate 176 which is suitably rotatably mounted, as on the shaft 177. The shaft 177 axial with the shaft 119 and is made rigid upon the casing 118 by a pin or bolt 178 through a boss or projection 118 on the casing 118. The shaft 119 has its lower end pivoted in the hollow projection 118' and between the shafts 119 and 177 are friction balls 179, the shaft 177 thus communicating the weight of the casing and associated parts to its end thrust bearing 180 in the fixed cam element 181. The plate 176 is rigidly secured to the shaft 177 as by the pin or rivet 182 through the flange or coupling 183 removably secured by bolts 184 to the plate or carrier 176.

Each of the spindle holders 175 comprises preferably a back portion 175 and a front portion 175', these two portions being secured one upon the other by suitable means, such as the screw bolts 18."). The lower portions of the holders 175 respectively are sprovided with a suitable reduced portion or projection 186 adapted to pass operatively through a hole 187 in the carrier plate176 whereby the spindle holders respectively may oscillate or rock pivotally therein or thereupon. Upon the projecting end 186 of the spindle carriers 175 respectively, a crank arm 18% is rigidly secured, as by the through pin 189, and upon each of such crank arms there is provided a friction roller 190 adapted to travel in the irregular track 15.11 of the cam clement 181rigidly secured to the frame of the machine as upon the supports 192 and 193.

The spindle holders 175 are longitudinally hollowed interim-1y to provide clearance for the shaft 140, which is provided on its periphery with a spiral ridge 191," or preferably with a plurality of such ridges. side by side, to providcjh iyircd pitch and proportions for suitable driving results, such number 0]" spi a? ridges; living pz'za-llically employed by me as provides ealmlautially a 45 degree angle of thread. Sui-h apilal matting preferably exiumls suhfitantially throughout that portion ml the shaft Hi) as is Within the spindle holders 175. the lower portion, huwe'ver, a: 195. being left Hamill: and circular in crass seittiun to provide an end pivotlur the Hhaf', whirl] pivot ll; adapted to rotate in a Sllllillill rem-5S 19a; in the holder 175, this IL'K'PES hai lag a llliil' anon hen ath the eml. nil he shaft to peraill; the shaft in he inuwll \ertirall v when in Operative 'pflhlllilll with resggeet [u the rarrier huhlvr r-nntaining the same in the apller portion ml the SIBlYTIllP ilUllltI'S m' Hulk ports 1T7: the bearings WT and 19 are pm \'l(li,fl 5a lh'c easing 31h aml newer 1:30 W spec-lively. 'orm gmr B l are iamihwd on either siile 0f the shaft 'l-li) in rervssea 20 and 200 (Pf the musing parta reapw-- tively and their-operative assnviatiua with the shall. is wel ahnwn in Fig: 10 2,: al 1!. from lilll il will he UlJSkl'Wiil that lhesv gz ars i l!) are, reap-actively aaaml ecl in Wi liahlu eml ra ing Q01 prmhhal with mall hearing, anal hat a r'nltmi pirliihg' iaiisullv mun-:1" l in eai-h a? i gears as h}; a (writer pi [I15 an Jaw; gear and spindle will haw: a uaamoh axi rutatiua. ell-51h spindle lii r'ruua e'Led with ma Hi the gva 1 Jill! HllPl'lllUHlllHg a, lhe spiral shaft H0 ii will he awn llllli. Wh 2' the shall H0 is rotated lkl'll ill the w in -Heronthat spindle holder will he related mi ila WWI} axm it will he ulm-t'x'r-il further that the spindles m1 Ulli' f-lllll ul' lhe shall ..Ili a llai'] the 1 illliiill'lwl tn the hilnh lif lmhh anil lhal nllll'U ihe: ram 3 lively llxill lay living: ri i the spindle lmllh-rs l T5 m i i1;-ii(l.l1-il}' sasemasivel assume the same A fire 1-. ,i than or allitaile all any giver; paint in Eheir travel ah aat their cmaamn 22km n" rwnla tiun. namely the shaft 177 Thai at any given have in we minimal 5;! say for ixmtanve al the planmarl; d Fig. l earl} of the lmhlmx-g mu? m' 'aeniil u (m-h HF 1" sagiisiiilae ljll 1h" lwhl V lively aill maweeeiwal; a a: lia 1 of the lmlzler and 1pia=lleriliaeirahxii ai filial:-

plan". This ram lraeli 191 is so designed and puailimaril that spiaille :arriers are sueressively heiag turned mine and more with their fan toward the row of cotton as; they a r a aa-uarliing the notion picking position until. the spindles carried thereby respeciiinq are positioned substantially at right angles in the we. The arrangement is further ralllfll that when the spindles: in any one of l spilallu Uill'l'lt'l'b'l 175 are thus subsl rilially at righl angles with the row and salislaal'hilly parallel with the uppnaitely illfil 'lhill hpin llus U1]. Illa-otherpir-kiag'na-vl1- anieim they are maintained in such relation until the farther ruialimi ml the Farrier plate 176 varries the. spindle hulders respertiv ly substantially out of their mutton air-hing relatirmship with ihe row, at which time the Hupl'a'llts 0r earriers 1T5 are turned ihrough a (Ullhll'ill'lilO an an [heir own axes reg me lively until the spindles approach the hrush- Eng m cleaning devices, when they are painting trmaiwl the hraahes, and when they are passing thmngh the Meaning llviYldUi re niertiieiy they ar maintained in whaianl. All) a given axial clireetimi a lh l irlflk'l tn the cleaning \lLYlCQ. similiwail in the emg'iluylamt of riull'lt farms of Meaning il ul'ltl rl whirl! may he initial suit ai ie i1 may h desirable Ln prm'iile that the spindles r-hall have iliilerent angles (if mm taut with the hmshelis U! different angles with relajw-xt E0 the mw af plants than in the preff*i1':i arraugvawm SlHHYlE. aml all em l1 ehamf 'e and varial'iuas may he lll ifll lmh wifliia l'vllllllllll limit; by varying the design a! lhe ram i'arh lill Whirl] ematmls the remill,

Ha v u'mlfw Meaning mew/amama-"1110 hpimlle leaning mevhanism in it? preferred 'l'nrm and arrangement comprises a pair of huh-pen:leni'ly nmantwl brushing elemenis :ii'i flu-1 {here prel'erahly being a plurality li'll elem-a1 nmuahal in s perpused re- I1 mam erwh nl' la'u shalt a El 1 and 212 la mav aaitahly l'an hexagzunal l ling elem-cal marrying la'uahi-s ii-ngler 213, the! m his 191") living preferably pmihrereaxaw Ell 0r with guilli-waja hardly i ar way he lllfiil'ilml lhen-ia i an ilw 5mm! :al will, films pro 1m innn"aagvallle 'l t'kll' ii'v valaahle l'nr repair :ahe wemeat nl i)l'll 1ll!'-' as they immune urn. lzrh laasle propel is pwl'erahl lil'ii 2th its longitudinal ilirewlina iaierslr :1 radial line from the axis nl z-utaiiun al' the brushing element, rillt'll raclial line as living rrmmidereri 22 n11 the plane ill Fulalinn alul this for the ip'a'laat fuartii'ai w? ma mil preventing lwihhes ma a-:- mm flying: out ch their iJvQhT-"lii'u vhama'l "ill umitaining lhe same ill: lll Hl' aeiim; during the pirhing an-rm y brushes due to centrifugal force but also in order that they may engage the spindles in such manner as to begin a forward brushing operation-that is toward the point of the spindle-at substantially the time the brush first contacts the advancing spindle, and then to continue a. forward and laterally cotton unwinding operation until the. point of the. spindle is reached, at which time the brush proper is substantially at right angles to the axial line of the spindle and the cotton brushed therefrom is thrown away from the spindle and from the brush. This feature. is important. also in holding the brush proper in operative position on the brush mg element. due to the pressure constantly eing exerted upon it in a direction more or less toward the axis of its revolution, the channel or guideway 21% having a suitable. stop for the brush at its. inner end. As shown in the drawings these brushing elements 210 have portions thereof cut away between the brushes proper, the two axes 211 and 2H on which the two sets or balterics of brushes are respectively mounted being so spaced from each other that the brushes prope' and their supporting means may have. free rotation due to the cog-like inter-meshing of ln'nshing elements on the same planesuch brushing elements however not contacting but suitably clearing" each other as they respectively rotate. On each of the driving shafts 211 and 212 the brushing elements 210 are superimposed alternately in staggered relation; that is, the alternate brushes on the same shaft as 211 are"given a onesixth or (30 turn. which arrangement permits the cooperating! as .cr'. not in the same plane, simultaneously to act upon any given spindle traveling in a plane between the two. It is to be understood in general that the ctr operating brushing: elements on the two shafts 211 and 212 are not in the same plane. the brushing elements on the shaft 311 ha ving their brushes proper turned upward while the brushes proper carried by the brushing elements on the shaft 212 are posi tioned downwartL the brushes carried by the shaft 212 sweeping the top portions of the spindles and those on the shaft ill swcepin g the bottom portions thereof. the spindles traveling sidcwise between the upstanding brusheson one side and the down \vardly projected brushes on the oth r side. in practice the brushing elements on both shafts move toward each other on the side of the picking mechanism, the shaft ill H) tilting in a clockwise direction and the shaft 212 in an anticlockwise direction as viewed from the top. As the cooperating brushes as fl -.1" are in ovcrlap wd relation to each other through part of their travel, and both are moving toward the point of the spindhn the action of the brushes proper is such that 'brushes the cotton on the spindle is simultaneously unwound and swept toward the outer end of the spindle and when carried beyond the spindle and yet between the brushes is acted upon equally by the two brushes And with a simultaneous moven'icnt thereby is thrown away from the brushing device. The clearance between the brushes proper is important from the standpoint of allowing escape for the cotton thereon. The arrangement is important also from the standpoint of cleaning the brushes themselves of cotton, and, importantly. from preventing cotton from becoming wound about the axes of the respectively. This advantage is had in the provision of brushing elements on one axis reaching well in toward the axis of the other brushing element and sweeping outward the cotton tending to collect upon the brushes proper and about the axes respectively. The brush elements 216 of the brushes proper are preferably of steel bristles, which material provides suitable strength and resiliency. and in the arrangement shown a thorough cleaning, from the spindles of the cotton adhering thereto is secured, even when gunnniness may be present on the spindles due to exudation of sticky matter from the plant.

The shafts 21! and 212 are mounted to rotate in respective end thrust bearings 220 ig. 5) rigidly secured as by supports r320 to the supporting bar 220 carried by the frame of the machine. suitably employed in this connection. as illustrated, and an adjustin screw 221 substantially axial with the siaft by which each shaft may be raised or lowered slightly as when it may be desired to adjust the brushing elements thereon to take up wear of the brushes proper. These brushing elements 210 may be individually secured to their shafts by means of set screws as 217 or merely the lowermost brushing element on each shaft may be so secured. the latter constr-uction being preferable to avoid projections such as screw heads. which may collcct p.-|rticles of cotton.

The shafts 21! and 212 (see Fig. 5) are not integral with shafts 106 and 110 respectively although axial therewith and rotated tla-rcby. For purposes of asscmbliup, and removal of parts these alined shafts are drivingly connected together respectively by a sleeve 222 having a hexagonal interior lilting, each adjacent end portion of the hexagonal shafts Bil and 106 (W212 and 110, the sleeve 22:! being secured to the shaft 211 and um or 212 and HH by set screws as 223. By loosening the screws 22!! the sleeve may he raised or lowered beyond the joint between the adjacent shafts. A clearance Ill is provided between these shafts for adjust ment of the lower shaft as already mentinned.

A ball bearing is The snp 'iuiting hill 2), (I'Figx. 5i) Nari) ing the vlvaning device sappurt 213i? is hingudly mounted as at 220 in ha frame part l0. and [his uuppui'ting bar 220 ia 1 (am-(l by the bull 12:3 a'liei'vby the cleaning devices are lllllllltillliill in (aiei-atixe pnsiitiun with respect tn thv Button piuiiing devices (hiring the cnttun pinking and spindle clean ing opm'atiun. A similar suppm'iingg lJill 220" hingeiil as at 2220, and having a similar locking bolt 2'30 carriva supporting; ah meats similar to the lja'airhuts 722W arlaplu to support the upper end pm'tiuns, al lliu shafts 21.1 and 312. These upper hrauhvla smeared to the supporting bar 220 are not shown and are not strictly necessary may be employed to steady the upper walls of the shafts 211 and 212 when thcsv shafts are disconnected from the. Dha'its Uh? anal 110 respeutivelb 5y I'mam'ing: ilw will: 220" and 220 and moving the slewva l the bars 22V and 220 may he swung milwardly carrying thichaining nim-lniiiiwaa: with them, or with the have! one, ii'iiui'ahv access may he hall to tha cleaning inn-aha nisms themselves, the intmrinr :21" the apimlhr cleaning Ullflillllll' and 7 {net to Lhe }iiul i1l; jnan-in; nism 01 parts of the cotton UUUVLVlE'Jg insulianisms, etc.. as im' cleaning, adjustnueaiz and repair.

('otton plant gwfn'as mid apimUv yum/via.- A plurality of loop-shaped preferably llat rods .250 are rigidly cunnected at tlw Frau-it of the machiiw in the vertical aaglv iia'as (a:- frame n 'ipurts 5? at, one of their 1 and tn the substantially vertical angle ii-nn maiippurt 57 at Lhe other of their uml: Tiff spoctively. These loop shaped lmnal H elements 2.50 i'eapediively pass around a large portinn {)f each of the cleaning mus! anisms. and are pnsitiaaed hetwvnn the 0f revolntien of vertically adjacent sp whereby the spim es inminieil in rcvnlw the Same plane \Yiil exfirnd ii'im and 1' u through a suh liantially lliifillUl'SlilP-l 1-, i' upining hctwven ad awnt a? il limp-like rails 01 bars. it is in bi? aw SiUUd that thiq lamp :nnsti'uctinn is null strictly essential hiii that iiw impartial i are is the provision (if anal; intm'wain 'x bars an the picking siiln a? the mei'him a an} n'eferahly .011 both tin;- picliina" anal cl i aning side i hervo'f, These l0np--xl1amal viemvnts 250 constitute glllfiifi whivh matact natwardly extending hranchvs am! pa lions "of the plant and force thiiai into proper rvlatinn' with ha picking spnuilva 1H1 the, inavhine travels upon. the ground The 2:10 an l iw paint pm'timi of hm elenwnta side of the picking mocl'iaaisms r0. also prevents branvhes, foliage aml i balls ram nhjectimiahly mining ii -ls; tact with the iamiutiril and a (likely ta have grams: apms r from the racking spindlecarriers 1' 'illl j l li (a [101 tha iii-0 npcral'iini of the mar shim: 1J1 a: v hulil nif ilu: plant and injure it it ill w (tljH'ilVkil that the elvmvnts 250 an l liil'l'iiljl givafn a ipiai-iur turn, as at {hair forum-cl pi'aftiun lay which aw i lililP pi'nviih'd between. twa \Llilfiilll y' any ill. of blltl) elements, thus iiiain'ia; thi safe unity inta the space .251 of aghtly haul at himsel inaimlml spindle.

h -l' the guiilu and pi'e'ilecting' elua iia'ac'v msaippmt 2533 rigid as upon the vertical element This support 33?, is. pi'vfei'ahly 0F llai lllvii l and pnsitiunml liatwisu horixmii'ziil) in pi'zwiiligirvaim' clearance for the sa'iiinilwi i'cliivh at the time of their passage livuw -m \vi'iinaily adj (with lliui'vni'zu vlaflfin with Uflilfilil. .lli praciiuil haw iniinel that- Elw r-fii i lilw Mia: iii-raven .'l,lllCilll V ailiam-m i-lvmvnw n1 hi aaiiahly about mac and uhe-erig hih inirh a and lhatihu Space huiimwii film wrii all adjacent eleinmits 250 Win} siiiia ily la- SUYLH":illlllfilltllfi 01 an im'h \vhvn a iiil'fl1lgillill inch spindle iH (arrplw-si-i llhhixa ipiartm; incl-h apiialle m (jaw in" an utliar wieilflillt iliaineii'r is, lisell illa-r-c Hp iilll h: vaiiuii iii-unfailingly (Jl aliiialil i. liw iclaiiw ilinivnsinns' and clear-- I'Hltll'fi Sliifl'flh ha living lrmnil by me. in giw gnarl n-saim ()n flaw ln'iialihig m Meaning Flili} whim] picking HW lIJlHlHHH i'ihljiitlVtlY thev ainmanl's 2&0 are suitably bani, as at 25-! not unify in {,Zl v i 'iiai ive alea mice 'l'ni' the lau hing e'li'liitjitEt i310" hut in sea) the midiilfiiliil 'l'iiiiuliiiii n5. assisting in the iwnm'al =5 mailman whivh m no IH'Hi the lllULlfitQd iii iilllf" apinilh'rs iiespiautiwl y and lint innuagh engaged by the brushes at gmxliun la lull'lOH! ihe Sana). The spin w 1"i'hlfi'ilillil1'iii' drawing away from the ig Maximum at ahual ihia poi'nfi 254.. i 'llt' mtlmi may lilii' pas ihi'migh the la liiIlH'ill F 155:} at this paint i iilliiigj nl' l'hi via Fll film cniiul: liwing l0 re-m iiuw turning in e 'l liis ziii uriiiithe 4 Hi-Thaw nppeiriiiraity iinwuiisaii fillll free within and Sana: ai (iESll'lill; hut shuahi it llit hiiishing crlviaiaii. fill? (inns i g: partially umvmuul "iziliili,tll}' at the point 251 ((ji'iiiil (paasing through the \iiiimul hail l gand lhu place JG-l} travels ailh ilw iinilhi again through tho i-atiim pivli'iii ug a-at mi but having ina'ii fnrceil smiirvinai. tmvani film point 0i? Ha! spindle ilnmn h tl lifildlnff 1H1 unwind- Lillf spiwle and {hi- Qlmncats;

aw 33h i [H in pUSlElflll in he jl'wlliil f in, the brushing it, again mama iniu assncia- 1 Mi i (if the tion therewith. In so important a function of a cotton picking machine as the removal of the cotton from the spindles, this feature of tlfo device is of value. The space between the vertically adjacent elements 250 at the point 25+, as well at the other pontions thereof in association with the brushing elements is preferably substantially that of the space between the same elements on the cotton picking side.

Conway era, buy holders, eze.--llorizontally disposed beneath the batteries of brushing elements 210 is an endless belt eonveyer 265 mounted to travel upon preferably wooden rollers 266 and 267 having their end bearing pivots mounted respectively in the frame elements and 40 in substantially the same horizontal plane, as shown in Fig. 4. This helt'eonvever ma suitably be of canvas and is provided with upstanding projections 208, of wood or other suitable and preferably light material, and adapted to carry the cotton toward the rear of the maehine. A vcrtirally disposed endless belt eonveyer 269, of similar material, is positioned rearward of the roni'ever 265, the eonvever 269 having outstanding spikes, spines or pins 270 adapted to engage the rotton carried to them by the conveyor 265. The vertical conveyor 26!) is mounted to travel upon preferably wooden rollers 27]. and 272 suitably mounted in a metallie or wooden casing 273 open at its bottom to permit the rotton from the eonvever 265 to rome in rontaet with the (-onvever 26!). A third eonvever 2H is positioned at the top of the machine adapted to take the ('otton from the ronvever 2G9 and rarr v it to the rear end of the machine. The rear roller .375 of the conveyor 27-]- is mounted to rotate in the easing: 276. while the forward roller :27? is mounted upon bearings carried by the easing 273. these two rollers 27; and 27? therefore having a fixed relative position with respert to each other. At the rear of the machine is rigidly eonneeted a slotted support 373 for the rear end of the easing 2T6 wherein sueh rear end may be raised or lowered. relatively to the support. as will readily be understood from Fig. .1. The front end of the casing 276 loosely overlaps the easing 273, thus permitting some movement between the two rasings at this point when the rear end of the casing 274; is raised or lowered. The provision of adjustment for the easing 276 is made in view of the use of bags or receptarles 279 (Fig. 2) of dilTerent lengths used in collecting" the picked cotton. and the downwardly turned end of the casing 276 is provided on opposite sides thereof with bag holding devices 280. As shown in the drawings these bag holding devices 280 consist of light angle iron having one leg or flange cut at intervals and the iron then bent in an arc. The bag holding elements are so formed and arranged in pairs that a bag may be hooked upon or brought into engagement with the projection 281 of the casing. drawn over the arms or holders 280 and be held thereon by the teetlrlike projertions 2S2 springingly held in contact with the bag.

('onveving motion is imparted to. all of the conveyors thro gh a driving chain 28% (Figs. 1 and 2) traveling, upon a sprocket wheel 1285 (Fig. 1) on the shaft 1'28, and simultmieonslv upon sprockets 286 and 287 on the. rollers 273 and :27? respectively. At the bottom of the machine sprockets i288 and 289 are mounted on the rollers 271 and 2e? respectively and the chain 290 positioned operatively thereon. It will thus be seen that cotton upon the top of the conveyer .265 will be carried against the front of the conveyor .269 which in turn conveys the same to the top of the eonveyer 2H whence it is discharged into the bag 27%).

The deseription hereinabove made of one system of eonvevers and associated parts is applicable to the s vstom on the other side of the marhine.

The brushing;- elements 210 are positioned in a. cotton rollertin; easing having, suitable walls 29] and 292 and'one end wall. 293. the easing 273 and the vertical eonvever 2m) aet ing as the other end wall. the side wall 2 1 being bent back as at QJl to give rlearant'e for the spindles S. The wall 29'. is provided with a streen 292' therein, surh as wire, netting. adapted to permit foreign matter, snrh as sand. portions of leaves. twigs. bark, ete. (whieh may happen to adhere t the (otton when being pirked) to pass therethrough and out of the machine, thus partially (-leaning' the cotton before it is carried into the bags. The brushing elenu-uts Llt) throw the cotton and surh foreign partirles with eonsiderable force in the direction of the screen and also produre a distiin't air rnrrent in the same dirertion. In this war net-lion it is mentioned that heavier f reign matter surh as bolts or nuts or broken spindles or the like whirh may happen to lind their way upon the eonveyer 2H5 pass out of the ltltlt'lllllt at the end of said rome n'r. there being Sllillt'ltht rlearanre between the eonveyers 265 and 269 therefor. if it should happen that any surh heavier matter is rarried by the Vertical ronvever. another opportunity for itsesrape. is given between the rontigmius ronvever rollers at the top of the machine.

fife/ring *mrrrlmnism.ln the forward end of earh of the side t'ranu's and B and rigidl serured to the connecting elements 32 and 33. as by bolts. is a block or support 500, and substantially vertiraltv beneath it rigidly connected (as bv bolts) to the frame member 41 is a. bearing element 301. The block 300 may constitute a hearing, but I preferably provide an adjustable bearing element 302 therein, of tubular form, having a hollow interior and brovided with screw threads on its outer periphery, the block 3011 having a vertical aperture provided with corresponding threads, whereby the bearing element 302 may be adjustably moved with respect to its supporting frame. A rod-like wheel-support 303 is arranged to move vertically in the bearing elements 301 and 302, the parts being considered in their operative positions. Rigid upon the wheel support 303 is a mounting 304 from which projects substantially horizontally the stud shaft 305, the steering wheel 306 being mounted to rotate on this shaft. Also rigid upon the wheel support 303 is a spring stop or rest 30? and operatively between this spring stop and the bearing element 302 is a spring element 308, which is preferably in the form of a helical spring surrounding the l'fldi-l llie support 303. The element 302 is thus not only a hearing but also an adjustable spring stop, and constitutes means by which the front end of the machine may be raised or lowered with respect to the grolmd whcn the wheel 301i is resting thereon. From the wheel slipport 303, and suitably from the spring stop 307, there extends an arm 309.

The description of the steering mechanism thus far made is equally applicable to that associated with the steering wheels on either side of the machine. The cross rod 310 is pivotally connected to each f the arms 305), and on an extension 311 on one of the arms 309, a ball and socket coupling 312 is mount ed, to which coupling is connected the transverse rod 313. On the other end of the rod 313 is a universal coupling 314, and also connected to this universal coupling is the lever arm 315, the universal coupling permitting the rod 313 to move laterally as well as t have a pivotal action with respect to the rod 315, the arrangement shown thus compensating for variations in the relative vertical positions of the wheels with respect to the frame, as when one front wheel rises upon an obstruction upon the ground. The arm 315 is rigid with a worm gear 316 on the shaft 317 ,the shaft 317 being integral with the arm 315 and is mounted to rock in the top cross bar 34. In intermeshing association with the gear 316 is the worm 313 (shown in dotted lines) upon' the steering rod 319, this steering rod being pivoted at its front end in the frame part 34; and intermediate its ends in the frame part 56. A hand wheel 320 is rigid upon the shaft 319 and is positioned immediately in front of the operators seat or station 321. It will thus be noted that when the steering handle 3-20 is turned in clockwise or anticlockwise direction motion will be communicated to the cross rod 310, which transmits the same equally to the rods 3G9 and thus both steering wheels 306 are pointed in the same direction and their traveling direction simultaneously varied as desired.

The spindZe.-The cotton picking spindle preferably employed by me in the present form of machine consists of a rod, which may be tapering, but is preferably of cylindrical form as chiefly illustrated. The spindle contains a spiral groove, on its periphery, and preferably a plurality of such spiral grooves substantially parallel with each other and extending from the pointof the spindle throughout that portion of the same which is exposed to the plants during the cotton picking operation.

The preferred form of spindle is shown in Fig. 15 in which three spiral grooves 330 are cut in the spindle body, presenting intervening ridges 331 having substantially the structure of a Screw thread, but having considerable pitch. In the preferred form several, say three, longitudinal grooves are cut transversely of the threads, such longitudinal cutting presenting preferably slightly undercut transverse face, as 333, to thc several threads where the longitudinal groove is made. such groove being deepest at such undercut faces and gradually slanting awav therefrom until the top surface of the ridges is reached, as at 334. These undercut faces terminate in sharp points 335, and when the spindle is rotated in picking position with such triangular faces moving forward, that is, in such manner that these faces will be presented to the cotton fibers, the fibers are caught and wound upon the spindle. Inasmuch as I am employing spindles some of which rotate in one and others in the opposite direction I provide spindles having right and left grooves and ridges respectively and the undercut faces mentioned are also reversed on some of them so that the same cotton picking action will be had by the spindles having the right and the left construction respectively when operated respectively in clockwise and anticlockwise direction.

In Fig. 17 I have shown a modified form of spindle in which I employ a spiral thread construction 340 similar to that shown in Fig. 15, but in which the longitudinal grooves 341 providing the picking facets or points 34:2 are themselves spirally arranged, in which construction in cvery position of the spindle on its axis, a plurality of picking facets or points 3 12 are presented to any given plane at the spindles side.

In Fig. 19 I have illustrated a spindle having a plurality of spiral, preferably undcreut, grooves 345 providing sniral ridges 346. and 1n the faces of these Il( gcs respectively where they are so undercut I provide somewhat sharp points 347, similar to saw teeth, but not necessarily so distinct, these -and wind the same upon the spindle.

small teeth providing a large number of angular projections from the main body of the ridge adapted. to catch the cotton fibers The spiral construction illustrated and described is highly advantageous both in picking the cotton and in freeing the spindle therefrom, the tendency and actual result in picking being to wind the cotton spirally upon the spindle, and especially where the movement of the spindle is first forward into the cotton plants. A very notable advantage however is had when the direction of the spindle is reversed in cleaning, when the spiral construction causes the spindle substantially to. unscrew itself from the cotton, the cotton being held by the cleaning brushes, the picking facets or points receding from the cotton fibers, and no holding action being had by the spiral ridges except some slight incidental friction which is not 'sullicient to prevent the ready removal of the cotton therefrom. A particular :ulvautago is bad in the fact that the cotton fibers are not materially torn in either the picking or unwinding operation, the cotton coming from the brushes in a. substantially natural condition; that is, not in a twisted, curled or tightly bunched mass, but being free and open.

Reference is made to my copcnding application, Serial No. 856,000, filed August 10, 1914, entitled Cotton picking spindles, wherein I claim the subject matter of the spindles herein-above described.

Further 797'0risi0ns.lhile it is feasible to gather cotton from the plants withonly one of the rotatable cotton picking mecha nisms shown and described, as by passing the machine first on one side of the row and then on the other, I preferably employ two such cotton picking mechanisms, as already pointed out, and in such spaced apart relation that the machine may be caused to travel with a row of cotton plants between such cotton picking mechanisms, which mechanisms in my preferred construction a re the same in all material and substantial respects and any "description of one is applicable to the other.

When in cotton picking position the spindles of one of the mechanisms preferably overlap to a considerable extent those of the other mechanism, these oppositely disposed spindles thereby inter-meshing in a sense, although they are suitably spaced apart and do not contact each other at any time. The spindles of any given horizontal row thereof on one of the l'nechanisms (except the uppermost or lowermost row) are normally on a plane of revolution substantially medial of the planes ofrevolntion of the Spindles of the next upper and lower rows on the other mechanism and the vertically corresponding rows of spindles on each mechanism are also in spaced. apart planes when the spindles are in picking position.

In practice prefcrahl arrange the spindles on each of the spindle holders 175 about one and one-hall' inches apart in the normally vertical direction for use in picking cotton from time to time during the season, when it is important not to injure the plant; but for making a thorough gleaming of the cotton, as on the last harvesting when the injury to immature bolls is no longer to he considered, 1 substitute in the machine spin dlc holders in which the spindles are aboit one and one-fourth inches apart. The machine is thus adapted to garner substantially all ot' the cotton suitable for picking whi h may be found upon the plants. 1 have, however, obtained excellent results with the spinlles spaced considerably farther apart.

It will be observed from the several figures that the rotatable cleaning mechanisms on either side of the machine extend somewhat into the space defined generally by the side frames A and i thus bringing the two cleaning mechanisms so close together that the proiccting and substantially intermeshing spindles on each thereof will-respectively enter deeply into the, foliage, etc., of the plants, and. also. and.importantly, in order that the spindles mounted on a plurality of spindle holders 175 will'bc at the same time in cotton picking relation to the row. As will be observed in the preferred construction the spindles projecting from three of the spindle holders 175 on each side of the marhiimarc at all times in such cotton picking position, and thus any given spindle is maintained in cotton picking relation to the plants for a considerable period, the oppositely disposed spindles moving generally toward. and from each other the while. thus providing the spindles and the machine with a distinct and highly advantageous feature.

As the machine is moving forward upon the ground the oppositely disposed spindles of each of the picking mechanisms are moving backward relative to the machine itself substantially throughout the cotton picking position at substantially the same speed as the machine as a whole moves forward, and thus the spindles positioned among the foliage and bolls are substantially in. a fixed position with respect to the ground during such time, the spindles rotating on their own axes the while and gathering the cotton wherever so much as a fiber or two of the same happens to come in contact with one of the spindles. 'lhrough the provision of means which maintain the spindles at substantially right angles to the row, or means which maintain the spindles from the opposite mechanisms substantially parallel with each other throughout, substantially the con ton picking process, the danger of mishap due to the contacting of spindles one with another is avoided; but this provision is particularly mlvantageous in maintaining the spindles in suitable picking relation to the plants throughout a considerable period and without lateral pushing or forcing of the plants in any direction, thus saving the plant by avoiding the stripping therefrom of foliage, branches or bolls not yet matured. In this connection it is pointed out that owing to the fact that the spindles on one mechanism are higher than those corresponding thereto on the other mechanism, it is possible to provide fresh and unused portions of the spiral spindle-driving elements 140 throughout the entire machine when Will thereof renders a change desirable; and this may be done by merely shifting the spindle holders 1'75 from one mechanism to the other, but retainingon each mechanism the spiral spindle-driving elements 140 and their associated gears 200 and spindles respectively. 'hile the higher and lower relative position of the spindles is thus changed from one side of the machine to the other, the proper working relationship of the spindles to each other is maintained as before; and since the variation of the spin dles in elevation is due merely to the positioning of the spindles in the holders 175, it is apparent that the' spiral elements 140, being journaled the same as before, now intermesh with the worm gears 200 at a hitherto unused portion thereof. It is here pointed out that the spiral shafts 140 in the holders on one picking mechanism preferably have their driving spiral threads cut in arighthand thread direction, those on the other mechanism being cut in a left-hand thread direction, and the gears 200 are cut in each case to correspond. This right and left spiral construction of the shafts 140 is preferable in that thereby on both mechanisms work or strain on the spindles s will cause the clutch element H1 to bind the more tightly with one and the other of the clutch elements 145 or 146. This right and left construction is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. If the shafts 140 on both mechanisms are either all right or all left, in making the adjustment last mentioned it will be necessary merely to change the holders 17 5 to opposite sides, not changing; the shafts 140. In all cases, however, the brushes 210 must be suitably vertically adjusted to engage the spindles in their new relative arrangement. This is an important and valuable result, particularly as any given spiral element 140 is arranged to operate upon two of. the spiral pinions QOQ at the same time and wear upon the spiral shaft is therefore twice as great as that upon any one pinion during a given period. The spindle carriers 175 are suitably of aluminum, but I have very satisfactorily employed hard Wood and have also designed a stamped metallic casing for this purpose. The shafts 140 are preferably of steel tubing. The brushing elements 210 are suitably of aluminum, as are also the casing 118 and the top 120 thereof. The several operative parts being positioned in the frame as illustrated, the frame itself may be of light material. as pointed out, and yet be very rigid and strong.

have thus produced a machine quite notable for its lightness, which is an exceedingly important and valuable feature. Because of its comparatively small weight and the construction and arrangement of the transmission elements and of the operative.

parts of the other functional organizations, comparatively small power is required in the engine that is, 12 ll. 1. has been found ample for simultaneously propelling the machine, picking cotton from the plants, brushing, conveying, etc., in actual use.

On the front end of each lower frame member 41 is secured as by bolts a slender and flexible spring guide 260 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is normally close to the ground at the forward end thereof and inclined upward toward the cleaning mechanisms re spectively. The rear end of the guide 260 is free and is adapted normally to he positioned somewhat between the two picking lllEFlHlDlSlllS. As well shown in Fig. :2 the two elements 260 are first-curvcd toward each other in front and are then more nearly parallel as they approach the picking mechanisms respectively. The guides 260 are preferably of flat strip metal to provide considerable resiliency laterally while being strong enough tolift the branches. These elements are respectively provided with a light fabric apron or shallow 'receptaelc 261 secured to the guide 260 and to the frame part 41. The element 260 is adapted to ui'iderrun, raise and guide into cotton picking relation to the spindles low hanging or downwardly drooping branches; and the fabric apron 261 is adapted to catch cotton which may be shaken from the bolls while the branches are so being lifted and guided into the desired position. In practice the branches thus acted upon sweep and drag the loose cotton from the apron 261 into engagement with the spindles upon one or more of which it is at once secured. An advantageous feature of the construction shown is that should the operator negligently drive the machine so as not to preserve the row of plants substantially medial of the machine, the element 260 will be flexed away from the plants without injury to them. 4

Attention has been called to the fact that the spindles a on the two mechanisms are in intermeshing substantially parallel cotton picking relation to each other and operatively occupying substantially all of the space in the row where cotton may be found. In this connection it is pointed out that an additional advantageous function of the arrangement and construction shown resides in the fact that these substantially parallel op]')ositel v mounted spindles have an easy aml gentle cotton-seeking movement in the row with respect to adjacent spindles oppositely mounted. it will be observed from Fig. i that the spindle holders 175 on one mechanism are relatively slightly in advance of those on the other mechanism, the shaft 17? of one device being slightly in advance of the other with respect to the line of travel of the machine. which is to provide the alternating relation of the spindles shown in Fig. -l. \Vhilc the spindles of the two mechanisms shown in Fig. l are not on the same horizontal plane. it will be observed that the vertical planes of the spindles are closer together at some places than at others, due to the parallelism of the spindles and their carriage about the shafts 177. and that the space between any two vertical and rearwardly moving planes on which op iositely mounted spindles rotate varies as the spindle progresses from one end of the picking position to the other. This movement is in the nature of a feeling about by the spindles for cotton in their respective localities and re sults in their covering a space ol'l effective gathering considerably larger than if the movement, just mentioned were not provided.

it has been mentioned hereinabove that I employ spindles adapted to gather cotton when rotated. in clockwise direction in association with other spindles so adapted to work when rotated in an anticlockwise direction. with suitable provisions for thus oppositely simultaneously twirling the spindles on their respective axes. This provision is important in neutralizing, in a sense. the effect of spindle rotation in the row, tending to preserve bolls and other portions of the plant in their natural and normal positions and in other respects improving the picking result, as for instance in situations wlrere cotton on the plant would not be engaged by a spindle rotating in one direction, say, being protected by leaves which would not yield to one movement of spindle rotation but which would readily yield to spindle rotation of the opposite kind. Another important result is in the lessening of the tendency to twist the cotton into ropes between spindles; and, further, in the lesseningof the tendency of one spindle to pick cotton from an adjacent spindle well laden and having extendingllibersor bunches reachingtothe other in the process of rotation, this provision also preventing the oppositely rotating spindles from tearing the fibers respectively on each, and also preventing friction between bunches of cotton on adjacent spindles and in contact with each other. tages are in the equalizing of strains upon the spindle holders respectively and upon the rotative shafts 140 therein.

It is also here pointed out that there are other notable advantages in arranging the spindles in pairs mounted in a single holder and adapted to travel in substantially the same plane, or. as may suitably be the case, one spindle of each pair positioned somewhat above. the other horizontally, when one ployed in a device of the general arrang nient shown. In such provision the first spindle of each pair, as the pair is being brought into picli'ing position, takes substantially all of the strain which may be incident to lateral engagement with the plants. The second spindle of each pair is thus permitted to enter the picking position 'without any substantial lateral straln, and

indeed each vertical row of such second spindles is so saved, and this without increasing the strains normally upon the spindles of the first vertical row. In other words, such strains throughout the entire machine are reduced one-half from what they would be if each vertical row of spindles was mounted on an independent spindle holder. In this connection an iniportant faiture of the device is described. By reference to Fig. 13 it will be seen that the cam element 181 is provided with a cam wall section 360 pivoted at 3361. upon the cam element 181 and adapted to move on said pivot against the leaf spring 362. This spring element 362 normally keeps the section 360 in position whereby the continuity of the inner wall of the cam track 191 is preserved at this place. A cam track section, as 360 may be variously located in the cam device, or equivalent yielding means may be positioned anywhere operatively between the spindle and the cam element to provide give or yield to the spindles carried by theholder, as 175. In the drawings I' ha ve shown but one such means, to illustrate-the function and result, and this is so positioned in the cam element that when the spindles on eaelrholder 175 are coming into the picking position and likely to have some lateral strain thereon due to engagement with the plants, and particularly with the larger and more hardy plants, the friction roller or device 190 associated with the holders re spectively will be in the cam track 191 at the movable wall. element 360, and lateral strains upon the spindles, if sufiicient to flex the spring 362, will cause the wall 360 to give way, and instead of the spindles being carried against the strongly and positively, they are pressed thereagainst yieldingly, affording the plants opportunity to become better arranged and the spindles opportunity to adjust them- Further advanresisting plants 

